'Exciting day' as Doña Ana County leaders take oath of office

By Steve Ramirez / sramirez@lcsun-news.com

Posted:
12/28/2012 06:09:08 PM MST

LAS CRUCES — Friday was a day newly elected state Rep. Phillip Archuleta will never forget.

It was also a good day — a very good day — for Archuleta's colleague, newly elected state Rep. Bill McCamley, and county Commissioner David Garcia. They, along with 13 others, were sworn into elected offices in ceremonies conducted at the Doña Ana County Government Center. State District Judges Douglas Driggers and Fernando Macias administered the oaths, required by state law before an elected official can begin serving in public office.

"It's an exciting day," said a soft-spoken Archuleta, with numerous family members standing close by. "It's a great day, I feel good. I hope to go to Santa Fe and work hard, work together, for all the residents of Doña Ana County and the state of New Mexico."

Archuleta received loud shouts and cheers from the packed county commission chambers where the ceremony was conducted.

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This is the first time Archuleta has been elected to office. He will now serve a four-year term as the state representative for District 36.

The biggest public reaction came within seconds of Mark D'Antonio completing his oath of office as the new District Attorney. The Chambers erupted in cheers and several people stood to applaud.

An interesting twist to the ceremonies came when state Sen. Mary Kay Papen, a Las Cruces Democrat, was sworn-in by Macias, who was a former senator of Papen's District 38 seat.

"Her husband was my predecessor," Macias said. "I was honored to have the opportunity to swear her in."

County Clerk Lynn Ellins prompted a few smiles and laughter from the crowd when he quietly modified the oath Driggers asked him to repeat, by saying he was "re-entering" elected office.

State Rep. Mary Helen Garcia, a Las Cruces Democrat who was once again sworn-in, making her one of the longest-serving elected state officials in Doña Ana County, was surrounded by family. She said the ceremony is always special.

"It's always something very nice when you have family around for a day like this," Garcia said. "My daughter, Roxanne, postponed her return to Tucson just to be here for this, and this was the first time she got to see this."

Garcia added she is anxious to return to the New Mexico Legislature and begin work for the upcoming 60-day session.

"It's going to be an interesting session," she said. "Hopefully, we can work with some consideration for one another."

Steve Ramirez can be reached at 575-541-5452. Follow him on Twitter @SteveRamirez6.

Oath of office

— Sixteen people were formally sworn into elected office Friday at the Doña Ana County Government Center.

— They were all winners in November's general elections.

— State District Judges Douglas Driggers and Fernando Macias administered the oaths.

— Those sworn in included new Doña Ana County commissioners, county clerk, county treasurer, state representatives, state senators, state district judges, and district attorney.

— With the oaths administered, the elected officials immediately began public service.